Illuminated display indicator

ABSTRACT

An illuminated display indicator wherein a fresneled numeral 8 is placed between a light source and a slotted indicator member in the form of a numeral 8 for columnating the light from the light source in order to uniformly illuminate the bar slots of the slotted figure 8. A movable shutter may be positioned between the fresneled numeral 8 and the slotted numeral 8 for selectively blocking out one or more the indicator bar slots to display all or a portion of the slotted numeral 8.

[151 3,683,524 51 Aug. 15,1972

3,405,464 10/1968 Simson....... .....40/28 C 3,467,960 9/l969 Hosker..... .....40/28 C X Boyles Wayland both of Mass Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [73] Assignee: General Electric Company Assistant Examiner-weneeslao J. Contreras Jan 12 1971 Attorney-Lawrence R. Kempton, Leonard J. Platt,

John F. Cullen, Frank I... Neuhauser. Oscar B. Wad- [2l] Appl. No.: 105,855 dell and Joseph B. Forman 40/28 C [57] ABSTRACT 09; 11 00 An illuminated display indicator wherein a fresneled 40/23, 28 C, 5 30 numeral 8 is placed between a light source and a slotted indicator member in the form of a numeral 8 References Cited for columnating the light from the light source in i order to uniformly illuminate the bar slots' of the UNITED STATES PATENTS slotted figure 8. A movable shutter may be positioned between the fresneled numeral 8 and the slotted nu- United States Patent Polonsky et al.

[541 ILLUMINATED DISPLAY INDICATOR [72] Inventors: Samuel Polonsky, Medway; Robert [22] Filed:

[52] US. Cl.

[51] Int.

[58] Field of ee m. ma n m W e n m 03 m5 mm H 0 8 m .m w w mu. m 1B N 5 0 .m m mmsw 61 C d smu f mm 0 f m Sm ma edm m.m m

56688 66666 99999 11111 umwuw 4 2374 3 47 M995 9 39 4669 J 33333 Patented Aug. 15, 1972 is Z w? m Q47 Z. 4 M w ILLUMINATED DISPLAY INDICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an illuminated display indicator, and more particularily to an arrangement for illuminating the bars or lines of a display indicator which may be used for forming different numerals or letters.

In a co-pending application of Robert L. Boyles (6D- 4/64) Ser. No. 105,854, filed Jan. 12, 1971, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, there is disclosed a display indicator having a plurality of horizontal and vertical bars or lines arranged in the shape of a numeral 8 for indicating numerals from thru 9. As shown in the application, the numerals from 0 thru 9 may be readily formed from seven straight line indicator bars which are arranged in the shape of a figure 8. The seven indicator bar segments include three generally parallel horizontally arranged bars and two pairs of generally vertically arranged bars positioned on opposite sides of the horizontal bars. With this arrangement, should it be desired to display a numeral 1, all bar segments except the two right vertical segments would be blocked out. To form the numeral 0 it is only necessary to block out the middle horizontal bar. It follows that the numeral 3 may be formed by blocking out the two left vertical bars. Our invention is concerned with clearly and uniformly illuminating the bars or lines which are utilized for forming the numerals, letters, or other symbols which may be displayed by such an indicating device or a generally similar indicating device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement which may be manufactured at low cost for clearly and uniformly illuminating the bars or lines which are required for forming numerals, letters, or other indicia of a display indicator.

In accordance with one of the aspects of this invention, an illuminated indicator includes an opaque mask indicator member having a plurality of clear indicator bars provided therein arranged in the shape of a numeral 8 or other symbol. A fresneled rear lens having a plurality of concentric circle segments is positioned between the opaque mask and a light source for columnating the light which is caused to flow through the lens and through the clear indicator bars. A movable shutter is positioned between the indicator member and the fresneled lens in order to selectively block out all or a portion of the columnated light which flows from the fresneled lens in order to selectively display all or a portion of the symbol or numeral 8 which is formed in the indicator member. By this arrangement, the columnated light which flows through the fresneled lens and the uncovered indicator bars of the indicator member uniformly illuminates the uncovered bars at a relatively high light intensity in order to clearly display all or the desired portion of the numeral 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illuminated digital display indicator constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the rear lens of the display indicator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the display indicator of FIG. 1 showing the light flow through the indicator;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a portion of the rear surface of the front lens of the display indicator shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the digital display indicator shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing and first particularily to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of our unique digital display indicator. While an opaque film containing a transparent figure 8 could be used as the front mask for the indicator, our unique display indicator includes a front plate 2 which is formed of an opaque plastic material which is slotted to form a numeral 8. The slotted numeral 8 includes seven indicator bar slots which are utilized for forming the numbers from 0 thru 9. There are three generally horizontal indicator bar slots 6, 7 and 10, and four generally vertical indicator bar slots 12, 14, 16 and 18 positioned on opposite sides of the horizontal bars. In accordance with our invention, webbing 20 extends through the indicator bar slots 12, 14, 16 and 18 in order to structurally support the two central portions 22 and 24 of the numeral 8 as an integral part of the front plate 2.

A vertically movable shutter 26 with horizontal bars is slidably positioned between the slotted bar numeral 8 member for selectively blocking out one or more of the horizontal indicator bars 6, 7 and 10. It can be appreciated that all of the horizontal bars should be blocked out for displaying a numeral 1 while only the central bar 7 should be blocked out for displaying the numeral 0. It follows that all of the horizontal bars should be clear or unobstructed in order to display the numeral 3. To achieve this, a plurality of opaque shutter bars 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 may be painted or otherwise formed on the vertically movable shutter 26 for blocking out the appropriate horizontal indicator bar slots. The shutter 26 may be formed of a relatively thin plastic material, and with such a construction light which emanates from a lamp 41 or other suitable light source positioned behind the shutter flows through the clear portions 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 of the shutter and then through any unobstructed generally horizontal bars 6, 7 and 10 of the slotted numeral 8.

A horizontally slidable shutter 60 is positioned behind the vertically slidable shutter for selectively obstructing the vertical bars 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the slotted FIG. 8. It can be appreciated that the upper left vertical bar 12 should be blocked out to display numerals l, 2 and 3 while it would be unobstructed to display the numerals 6, 8 and 9, for example. The horizontally slidable shutter is preferably formed of the same material as the vertically slidable shutter and it includes a plurality of vertical opaque bars 62, 64, 66, 68, and 72 for blocking out the vertical indicator bars 12,

14, 16 and 18 of the FIG. 8 member. The horizontally slidable shutter 60 includes transparent portions 63 between the shutter bars for enabling light from lamp 41 to flow through the transparent portions to thereby visually display the vertical indicator bars 12, 14, 16 and 18.

The horizontal and vertical shutters 26 and 60 and a cam arrangement 80 for driving them are illustrated and described in greater detail in the aforementioned co-pending application of Robert L. Boyles, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

ILLUMINATION AND LIGHT FLOW According to our invention, a rear fresneled lens 90 is positioned between the light source 41 and the slotted numeral 8 formed in front mask plate 2 for columnating the light which is caused to flow through the front mask in order to provide a very uniform illumination at the horizontal and vertical bars of the slotted FIG. 8. The rear lens is preferably formed of a clear plastic or other suitable material, and as shown more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a fresneled FIG. 8 is suitably indented in the front face 92 of the rear lens. As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the fresneling consists of a concentric series of circular lens sections that emanate near the upper left corner of the fresneled numeral 8 with the radius of the concentric circles increasing from the top left portion of the fresneled numeral 8 to the lower right portion of the fresneled numeral 8. While the transparent plastic which is utilized for forming the fresneled numeral 8 may be left clear at the sides of the numeral 8, the transparent material at the sides of the numeral 8 is preferably made opaque by blackening in order to reduce light leak from the edges of the fresneled numeral 8.

With particular reference to the enlargement shown in FIG. 3, it can be appreciated that the concentric circle surfaces of the fresneled numeral 8 include surfaces which are arranged at an angle to the front and rear plane surfaces of the rear lens, the angle of the concentric circle surfaces of the rings increase as the diameter of the rings increase for columnating the light which flows through the lens. The fresneled FIG. 8 which is formed in the rear lens 90 is constructed to be the same size and shape as the slotted FIG. 8 which appears on the rear surface 5 of the indicator plate 2. With this construction, the fresneled numeral 8 intensifies and directs the light from the light source 41 to flow in a columnated FIG. 8 light pattern toward the slotted FIG. 8 which is formed in the front plate 2.

In accordance with our invention, the slots 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are formed in the opaque front mask 2 are uniquely shaped and tapered as shown in FIG. 3 so that the width of the numeral bar slots 6, 7, 20, 12, 14, 16 and 18 may be optically increased beyond the width or thickness of the bar slots 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 at the rear surface S of the front plate. It can be appreciated that the width of the bars at the rear surface 5 of the front plate 2 dictates the size of the vertical and horizontal shutters 26 and 60 along with the size of the shutter bars which are formed on the shutters and the size of the cam 80 and an electric motor which could be provided for driving the cam 80. Accordingly, an arrangement for providing a numeral with wide numeral lines at the front of the display indicator with the use of relatively small shutters and cams is particularly desirable since the more legible wide line numeral may be formed with the use of smaller, and thus, less expensive components.

In order to greatly increase the viewing angle, a front lens is placed over the front plate 2 to disperse the columnated light which flows through the uncovered bar slots of plate 2. The front lens 100 is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent plastic and may be colored green, red or any suitable color in order to provide a desirable visual appearance. The color may also be utilized to mask unwanted details which may appear at the slotted front plate 2. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear surface 102 of the front lens is preferably formed with a plurality of depressions 104 for dispersing the light which flows through the front lens.

In accordance with our invention, the slotted numeral 8 is preferably formed in a relatively thick opaque plastic plate 2 so that the plate 2 may be utilized as a supporting member for our unique digital display indicator. As shown more particularly in FIG. 1, spacer posts 146 and 148 are positioned between the front plate 2 and a rear plate 106 and suitable screws 150 may extend through apertures 152 which are formed in the front plate 2 for connecting the front plate to the spacer posts 146 and 148 and the rear plate. Moreover, with the use of a relatively thick opaque plate 2, the webs 20 which is utilized for holding the central portions 22 and 24 of the slotted numeral 8 may be recessed somewhat behind the front surface 3 of the front plate and may be made very thin so that they are barely visable through the front lens 100. In addition, with a relatively thick front plate 2 it is possible to increase the thickness or width of the light bars 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 at the front surface 3 of the front plate as compared with the width or thickness of these bars at the rear surface 5 of the front plate.

It can also be appreciated that with our unique construction the comers 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 of the slotted numeral 8 where the horizontal bar slots 6, 7 and 10 join the vertical bars 12, 14, 16 and 18 provides a unique numeral styling with the numeral corners continuous in order to make the numerals more visable and legible to the viewer.

From the foregoing discussion, it will also be appreciated that our improved illuminated display mechanism is achieved with the use of a minimum number of parts which are uniquely connected to each other and combined with each other for displaying illuminated numerals or letters of the alphabet or other suitable symbols which may be formed by the use of a plurality of lighted bars. Thus, an exceedingly simple and inexpensive, yet reliable and legible illuminated display indicator has been achieved.

What I claim is:

1. An illuminated indicator for visually displaying indicia comprising:

a. an opaque mask indicator member having a plurality of clear indicator bars provided therein arranged in the shape of a symbol;

b. a rear lens positioned behind said opaque indicator member, said rear lens being fresneled to include a plurality of concentric circle segments for columnating the light which is caused to flow therethrough;

c. a light source positioned behind said rear lens for transmitting light through said fresneled rear lens and through the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member for visually displaying a symbol on said front indicator member; and

d. a movable shutter positioned between said indicator member and said rear lens, said shutter including a plurality of opaque bars for selectively blocking out one or more of the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member to display all or a portion of the symbol formed in said indicator member and said rear lens.

2. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein a front lens having a front surface and a rear surface is placed in front of the front indicator member for dispersing the columnated light which flows through the front indicator member.

3. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said front lens includes a plurality of depressions formed in its rear surface for dispersing the light which flows through the front lens.

4. An illuminated display indicator for visually displaying numerals 0 thru 9 comprising:

a. an opaque mask indicator member having a plurality of clear indicator bars provided therein arranged in the shape of a FIG. 8, said indicator bars including three generally parallel horizontal bars, and two pairs of vertical bars on opposite sides of the horizontal bars;

b. a rear lens positioned behind said opaque indicator member, said rear lens being formed of a clear transparent plastic material and having a fresneled portion in the shape of a complete FIG. 8, said fresneled FIG. 8 being of the same size and shape as the FIG. 8 which is formed on the front indicator member with the plurality of indicator bars;

c. a light source positioned behind said rear lens for in claim 4 wherein the horizontal and vertical indicator bars are formed as slots in an opaque plate with the slots extending through the plate from one side of the plate to the other side of the plate.

6. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein thin webbing extends through indicator bar slots in order to structurally support portions of the front indicator member.

7. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the opaque plate indicator member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the indicator bar slots are tapered so that the width of the bar slots at the rear surface is less than the width of the bar slots at the front surface of the indicator member in order to optically increase the width of the indicator bars.

8. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein the rearlens is blackened at the sides of the fresneled numeral 8 in order to reduce light leak from the edges of the fresneled numeral 8.

9. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein the fresneled numeral 8 in the rear lens includes a plurality of concentric circular lens sections with the radius of the concentric circles increasing from the top left portion of the fresneled numeral 8 to the lower right portion of the fresneled numeral 8. 

1. An illuminated indicator for visually displaying indicia comprising: a. an opaque mask indicator member having a plurality of clear indicator bars provided therein arranged in the shape of a symbol; b. a rear lens positioned behind said opaque indicator member, said rear lens being fresneled to include a plurality of concentric circle segments for columnating the light which is caused to flow therethrough; c. a light source positioned behind said rear lens for transmitting light through said fresneled rear lens and through the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member for visually displaying a symbol on said front indicator member; and d. a movable shutter positioned between said indicator member and said rear lens, said shutter including a plurality of opaque bars for selectively blocking out one or more of the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member to display all or a portion of the symbol formed in said indicator member and said rear lens.
 2. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein a front lens having a front surface and a rear surface is placed in front of the front indicator member for dispersing the columnated light which flows through the front indicator member.
 3. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said front lens includes a plurality of depressions formed in its rear surface for dispersing the light which flows through the front lens.
 4. An illuminated display indicator for visually displaying numerals 0 thru 9 comprising: a. an opaque mask indicator member having a plurality of clear indicator bars provided therein arranged in the shape of a FIG. 8, said indicator bars including three generally parallel horizontal bars, and two pairs of vertical bars on opposite sides of the horizontal bars; b. a rear lens positioned behind said opaque indicator member, said rear lens being formed of a clear transparent plastic material and having a fresneled portion in the shape of a complete FIG. 8, said fresneled FIG. 8 being of the same size and shape as the FIG. 8 which is formed on the front indicator member with the plurality of indicator bars; c. a light source positioned behind said rear lens for transmitting light through said fresneled rear lens and through the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member for visually displaying a numeral on said front indicator member; and d. a movable shutter positioned between said front indicator member and said rear lens, said shutter including a plurality of opaque bars for selectively blocking out one or more of the indicator bars formed in said front indicator member to display all or a portion of the FIG. 8 formed in said front indicator member.
 5. An illuminated digital display indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein the horizontal and vertical indicator bars are formed as slots in an opaque plate with the slots extending through the plate from one side of the plate to the other side of the plate.
 6. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein thin webbing extends through indicator bar slots in order to structurally support portions of the front indicator member.
 7. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the opaque plate indicator member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the indicator bar slots are tapered so that the width of the bar slots at the rear surface is less than the width of the bar slots at the front surface of the indicator member in order to optically increase the width of the indicator bars.
 8. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein the rear lens is blackened at the sides of the fresneled numeral 8 in order to reduce light leak from the edges of the fresneled numeral
 8. 9. An illuminated display indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein the fresneled numeral 8 in the rear lens includes a plurality of concentric circular lens sections with the radius of the concentric circles increasing from the top left portion of the fresneled numeral 8 to the lower right portion of the fresneled numeral
 8. 